New foot and mouth case hits region

11:08AM BST 26 Aug 2001

A THIRD case of foot and mouth has been confirmed in Northumberland, in a further blow to hopes that the region had beaten the disease.

The fresh case is the third in three days for the county, which was disease-free for almost three months. All three cases are within about five miles of each other and "draconian" new controls have been unveiled in a bid to prevent further outbreaks of the virus.

Farmers in Northumberland - where the first case of the disease was confirmed in February, more than six months ago - were said to be devastated by the latest blow to their hopes of recovery. Two of the affected farmers are said to have bought animals from Hexham market, raising the spectre that infected animals could also have been transferred to other farms.

Officials said yesterday that they would be using "draconian" measures to stamp out the disease in the area. They will introduce "Blue Box" restrictions around the infected farms.

The regulation, used to control a cluster of cases in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, last month, designates an area in which all animal movements are banned, apart from those licensed to be sent directly to slaughter.

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But any resurgence of the disease at this time of the year is seen as a double blow as it is considered easier to kill off in summer, and thrives in cold, wet conditions. National Farmers' Union North East director Richard Ellison said the outbreaks were disappointing as movement restrictions were due to be lifted in the area within weeks.

Divisional veterinary manager Arthur Griffiths said: "These may seem to be draconian measures but our intention is to make sure this flare-up is as short-lived as possible."